Friday, Mark drove us all up to Red Wing, Minnesota, taking the scenic route along the Mississippi. Unfortunately it rained all the way there- Mark was really great to dive all the way there. After checking into our hotel, we ate at Liberty's Restaurant and all got the buffet. After we were all filled up, went on the down town Christmas stroll where every shop was festively decorated. In the Red wing shoe shop Mark and I received an early christmas present from my parents of pairs of waterproof and very comfortable red wing shoes. I also got a pair of warm fluffy slippers which I can't wait to lounge in at home.

Saturday, we woke up to a covering of snow- the first we have seen since Wisconsin has been quite snow free so far. After oodles of small muffins from the hotels continental breakfast we headed out to the Red Wing pottery show room. There we saw many varieties of pottery from Red Wing and other potters. After eating brunch at an old fashioned family restaurant next door we went to the Pottery Place to visit the red wing museum and antiuqe stores. It was very impressive to see some of the larger crocks (a person could fit inside)- in our fast society today, it is hard to imagine why those crocks would be useful- but they are all worth a pretty penny. A little further down the road and we came to the Red Wing factory where we got to watch a potter throw beatiful large bowls in a matter of minutes. The lady in the shop was very sweet and answered all of our questions.

On the way home, Laura drove back a more direct route through western Wisconsin. After a nice sit down dinner at the Country Kitchen we ended up home a few hours later where we all slept well.